Code: Legalize (DOB permit and legalization process)
Description: (Legalization of Building Work) is the process of making past construction or changes legal under current NYC building codes and DOB rules. It usually means filing plans and permits so the work can be approved and added to the building’s official records, including the Certificate of Occupancy.
Practical Meaning: Legalizing work means you must hire a design professional and contractor to bring past or unpermitted work into full compliance with NYC codes. For a homeowner, this often includes filing alteration applications, getting inspections, and paying fees so the building can be safely used and sold without hidden violations or illegal conditions.
Where You May See It: You may see “legalize” or “legalization” in emails from your architect or expeditor, in DOB NOW filings for Alteration Type 1 or Type 2, and in plan examiner comments asking you to legalize existing conditions. It may also appear in HPD or bank communications when they require proof that building work was legalized before refinancing or closing a sale.
Why It Matters: If you do not legalize past or unpermitted work, you may face violations, fines, stop work orders, and problems with refinancing or selling the property. Legalization protects you by showing that the building meets safety rules and that DOB has officially approved the current layout and use, reducing future enforcement risks.